Nebraska State Capitol looking toward the northeast. (Jeff Motz/KFOR News)Amherst Sen. Dan McKeon. (Courtesy of the Nebraska Legislature) LINCOLN–(KFOR/Nebraska Examiner Jan. 8)–Nebraska lawmakers on Thursday approved an amendment on a 43-0 vote to suspend the legislature’s rules that normally require seven days of notice before a hearing is scheduled. The vote was done, so the Legislature’s executive board can hold a hearing next Jan. 12 to expel Amherst Senator Dan McKeon for allegedly inappropriately touching a legislative staffer, allegations he denies.  The alleged incident with the staffer prompted the Legislature’s investigation separate from a Nebraska State Patrol criminal investigation that led to McKeon being cited for misdemeanor public indecency in September. Back last May, members of the Nebraska Legislature had an end of session party.  According to the Nebraska Examiner, an outside counsel found that a legislative staffer claimed McKeon made a joke about going to Hawaii to “get laid” and smacked her backside after delivering the joke. McKeon has denied the allegations, calling it “exaggerated and mischaracterized.” In a written response to the Exec Board, McKeon argued that the board’s assertions include “material inaccuracies and unsupported characterizations.” To expel a member of the Nebraska Legislature, a senator must first introduce a legislative resolution presenting the motion. That resolution is then referred to a committee for a public hearing. Per the Legislature’s rules, there must be seven days between the notice of a public hearing and the date of the legislative hearing (In McKeon’s case, the Legislature is considering suspending this rule). It’s up to the committee to determine whether the public hearing will include only invited testimony or open it up to public comment. Following the hearing, the committee must vote to advance the resolution to floor debate. If the resolution advances, it can be scheduled for floor debate the next day. An expulsion motion requires just one round of floor debate and needs 33 votes to remove a sitting senator. If successful, the motion would take effect immediately and the legislative seat would become vacant until the governor appoints a replacement. ...read more read less